# Navratri 2026: The Nine Goddesses and Their Mantras > Meet the nine forms of Durga, one for each night of Navratri: their stories, how they are shown, and their mantras with audio. - **Published:** 2026-10-04 - **Author:** Mahakatha - **Category:** festivals - **Canonical URL:** https://mahakatha.com/blog/navratri-mantras/ Navratri means "nine nights". On each night, devotees honour one form of the Goddess Durga. Together these nine forms are called the Navadurga. They are named, in order, in a well-known verse of the Devi Kavacham, recited as part of the Durga Saptashati: प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयं ब्रह्मचारिणी। तृतीयं चन्द्रघण्टेति कूष्माण्डेति चतुर्थकम्॥ पञ्चमं स्कन्दमातेति षष्ठं कात्यायनीति च। सप्तमं कालरात्रीति महागौरीति चाष्टमम्॥ नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गाः प्रकीर्तिताः। "First is Shailaputri, second Brahmacharini, third Chandraghanta, fourth Kushmanda, fifth Skandamata, sixth Katyayani, seventh Kaalaratri, eighth Mahagauri and ninth Siddhidatri. These are known as the nine Durgas." Below you'll meet each goddess: who she is, how she is shown, what devotees pray to her for, her mantra (with lyrics and audio on its own page) and a simple way to honour her on her day. ## Sharad Navratri 2026: day by day In India, Sharad Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, 11 October and ends with Maha Navami on Monday, 19 October. Vijayadashami (Dussehra) is Tuesday, 20 October. Tithis can begin or end partway through a day, so check your local panchang for exact puja timings. - **Day 1 · Sunday, 11 October: **[Shailaputri](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/shailaputri-devi-mantra/) - **Day 2 · Monday, 12 October: **[Brahmacharini](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/brahmachaarini-devi-mantra/) - **Day 3 · Tuesday, 13 October: **[Chandraghanta](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/chandraghanta-devi-mantra/) - **Day 4 · Wednesday, 14 October: **[Kushmanda](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/kushmanda-devi-mantra/) - **Day 5 · Thursday, 15 October: **[Skandamata](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/skandamata-devi-mantra/) - **Day 6 · Friday, 16 October: **[Katyayani](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/kaatyayani-devi-mantra/) - **Day 7 · Saturday, 17 October: **[Kaalaratri](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/kaalaratri-devi-mantra/) - **Day 8 · Sunday, 18 October: **[Mahagauri](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/mahagauri-devi-mantra/) - **Day 9 · Monday, 19 October: **[Siddhidatri](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/siddhidaatri-devi-mantra/) ## Day 1: Shailaputri, daughter of the mountain **Sunday, 11 October** Shailaputri means "daughter of the mountain". She is Parvati as the daughter of Himavan, king of the Himalayas. In an earlier life she was Sati, who gave up her body at her father Daksha's sacrifice. Born again as the mountain's daughter, she once more chose Shiva. Because she begins the nine nights, she is often seen as the ground everything else stands on. **How she is shown: **She rides the bull Nandi, holds a trident in her right hand and a lotus in her left, and wears a crescent moon on her forehead. **What devotees pray for: **Devotees pray to her for steadiness and a firm start: the strength to begin something and stay with it. ### Shailaputri mantra ॐ शां शीं शूं शैलपुत्र्यै मे शुभम् कुरु कुरु स्वाहा Om Shaam Sheem Shoom Shailaputryai Me Shubham Kuru Kuru Swaha [Read the meaning and listen to the chant](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/shailaputri-devi-mantra/) **A simple way to honour her: **Day one is also Ghatasthapana, when many homes set up the kalash (sacred pot) for the nine days. Light a lamp, sit quietly for a few minutes, and decide what you want these nine days to be about. ## Day 2: Brahmacharini, the one who walks the path of devotion **Monday, 12 October** Brahmacharini is Parvati in her years of tapas, the long, steady practice she undertook to win Shiva. The stories say she lived on fruit, then leaves, then nothing at all, which is why she is also called Aparna. She stands for effort that keeps going quietly, without needing anyone to watch. **How she is shown: **She walks barefoot in simple white clothes, with a japa mala (prayer beads) in her right hand and a kamandalu (water pot) in her left. **What devotees pray for: **Devotees pray to her for patience and discipline in practice. ### Brahmacharini mantra ॐ ब्रां ब्रीं ब्रूं ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः Om Braam Breem Broom Brahmachaarinye Namah [Read the meaning and listen to the chant](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/brahmachaarini-devi-mantra/) **A simple way to honour her: **Chant on a mala today, even a single round of 108. You can also count on our free japa counter at mahakatha.com/tools/japa-counter/. ## Day 3: Chandraghanta, the one with the bell-shaped moon **Tuesday, 13 October** Chandraghanta means "she whose half-moon is shaped like a bell". She is Parvati as Shiva's bride, wearing the crescent moon on her forehead. The sound of her bell is said to send fear away. She is fierce when she needs to be, and calm for those who come to her. **How she is shown: **She is golden in colour, has ten arms carrying weapons, and rides a tiger or a lion, depending on the tradition. **What devotees pray for: **Devotees pray to her for courage that stays calm. ### Chandraghanta mantra ॐ ह्रीं क्लीं श्रीं चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः Om Hreem Kleem Shreem Chandraghantaayai Namah [Read the meaning and listen to the chant](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/chandraghanta-devi-mantra/) **A simple way to honour her: **Ring a bell during your aarti, then sit in silence for a minute and notice how the quiet feels after the sound. ## Day 4: Kushmanda, the one who smiled the universe into being **Wednesday, 14 October** Her name is usually read as ku ("a little"), ushma ("warmth") and anda ("the cosmic egg"). The story says that when there was only darkness, she brought the universe into being with a smile. She is said to live at the heart of the sun. **How she is shown: **She has eight arms, which is why she is also called Ashtabhuja, and holds a kamandalu, a bow, an arrow, a lotus, a pot of nectar, a discus, a mace and a japa mala. She rides a lion. **What devotees pray for: **Devotees pray to her for warmth, energy and a sense of gratitude for being alive. ### Kushmanda mantra ॐ ह्रीं कूष्माण्डायै जगत्प्रसूत्यै नमः Om Hreem Kooshmaandaayai Jagat Prasootyai Namah [Read the meaning and listen to the chant](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/kushmanda-devi-mantra/) **A simple way to honour her: **Step into the morning sun for a few minutes and say her mantra there. Some homes offer a pumpkin or ash gourd (kushmanda) on this day. ## Day 5: Skandamata, mother of Skanda **Thursday, 15 October** Skandamata is the mother of Skanda, also known as Kartikeya or Murugan, the commander of the gods' army. She is shown as a mother first: holding her child, protecting him, and through him protecting the world. Worshipping her is said to honour Skanda too. **How she is shown: **She holds the infant Skanda on her lap, has four arms with two lotuses and one hand raised in blessing, and rides a lion. She is sometimes shown seated on a lotus, which gives her the name Padmasani. **What devotees pray for: **Devotees pray to her for a mother's love and protection, for themselves and their children. ### Skandamata mantra ॐ ह्रीं सः स्कन्दमात्र्यै नमः Om Hreem Sah Skandmaatryai Namah [Read the meaning and listen to the chant](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/skandamata-devi-mantra/) **A simple way to honour her: **Call your mother or an elder who cared for you, or simply remember them during your prayer today. ## Day 6: Katyayani, the warrior born in sage Katyayana's hermitage **Friday, 16 October** Katyayani takes her name from the sage Katyayana, in whose hermitage she appeared. She is the warrior form of the Goddess who defeated the buffalo demon Mahishasura. In the Bhagavata Purana, the young women of Vrindavan worship her for a month, praying to have Krishna as their husband. **How she is shown: **She has four arms, holding a sword and a lotus, with her other two hands in the gestures of fearlessness and blessing. She rides a lion. **What devotees pray for: **Devotees pray to her for the strength to face what is wrong. Traditionally, she is also prayed to for a good marriage. ### Katyayani mantra ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं कात्यायन्यै नमः Om Hreem Shreem Kaatyaayanyai Namah [Read the meaning and listen to the chant](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/kaatyayani-devi-mantra/) **A simple way to honour her: **Pick one thing you have been avoiding and take one small, honest step towards it today. ## Day 7: Kaalaratri, the dark night **Saturday, 17 October** Kaalaratri means "the dark night", and she is the fiercest of the nine forms. She destroys darkness and fear. She is also called Shubhankari, "the one who does good": terrifying to look at, but kind to those who turn to her. **How she is shown: **She is dark-skinned with loose hair, three eyes, a necklace that flashes like lightning and breath of fire. She rides a donkey. Her right hands are raised in blessing and fearlessness; her left hands hold a cleaver and an iron hook. **What devotees pray for: **Devotees pray to her to be free of fear. ### Kaalaratri mantra ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं कालरात्र्यै नमः Om Aim Hreem Kleem Kaalaratryai Namah [Read the meaning and listen to the chant](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/kaalaratri-devi-mantra/) **A simple way to honour her: **Light a lamp in a dark room and sit with it for a few minutes. If there is one fear on your mind, name it honestly, then chant her mantra. ## Day 8: Mahagauri, the radiant one **Sunday, 18 October (Durga Ashtami)** Mahagauri means "the great radiant one". After her long years of austerity, the story goes, her skin had darkened with dust and sun. Shiva washed her with the water of the Ganga, and she shone white. She stands for purity and for a fresh start after hard effort. **How she is shown: **She wears white and rides a white bull. She has four arms, holding a trident and a damaru (small drum), with the other two hands in the gestures of fearlessness and blessing. **What devotees pray for: **Devotees pray to her for peace and a clean, fresh start. ### Mahagauri mantra ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं महागौर्यै नमः Om Aim Hreem Kleem Mahagauryai Namah [Read the meaning and listen to the chant](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/mahagauri-devi-mantra/) **A simple way to honour her: **Durga Ashtami falls on this day. Many families do kanya puja, honouring young girls as forms of the Devi with food and small gifts. Others do it on Navami. Follow your family's custom. ## Day 9: Siddhidatri, the giver of accomplishment **Monday, 19 October (Maha Navami)** Siddhidatri means "the giver of siddhis", the accomplishments that come from practice. Tradition says Shiva received the siddhis by worshipping her, and that half of his body became hers, which is why he is shown as Ardhanarishvara, half Shiva and half Shakti. She closes the nine nights: what was begun on day one is completed here. **How she is shown: **She sits on a lotus, sometimes on a lion, and has four arms holding a discus, a mace, a conch and a lotus. **What devotees pray for: **Devotees pray to her for completion: that their practice and effort come to fruition. ### Siddhidatri mantra ॐ ह्रीं सः सिद्धिदात्र्यै नमः Om Hreem Sah Siddhidatryai Namah [Read the meaning and listen to the chant](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/siddhidaatri-devi-mantra/) **A simple way to honour her: **Close the nine days with gratitude. Look back at what you set out to do on day one. The next day, Tuesday 20 October, is Vijayadashami (Dussehra). ## Other Devi prayers for the nine nights If you would rather keep one prayer for all nine days, any of these is a good choice. You can also follow the practice passed down in your family. - [Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/ya-devi-sarva/) - [Durga Gayatri Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/durga-gayatri-mantra/) - [Kali Gayatri Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/kali/kali-gayatri-mantra/) - [Parvati Panchakam](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/parvati/parvati-panchakam/) - [More Durga mantras](https://mahakatha.com/deities/durga/) ## A simple daily practice Set aside ten quiet minutes each evening. Light a lamp. Read the short story of that night's goddess above, then listen to her mantra once and chant along at a comfortable pace, 11, 21 or 108 times. Finish by sitting quietly for a minute. Longer rituals, fasting and repetition counts are best kept consistent with your family's or teacher's tradition. ## Questions ### Why are there nine forms of Durga? Each form shows a different side of the same Goddess: the beginning (Shailaputri), steady practice (Brahmacharini), courage (Chandraghanta), creative warmth (Kushmanda), a mother's love (Skandamata), the warrior (Katyayani), the destroyer of fear (Kaalaratri), purity (Mahagauri) and completion (Siddhidatri). Many devotees see the nine nights as a journey through all of them. ### Which goddess do I worship on which day? Follow the order above, starting with Shailaputri on the first day. Because tithis can shift, the exact day can differ by a day in some places, so check your local panchang. ### Do I have to fast to chant these mantras? No. Chanting and fasting are separate practices. You can chant every day of Navratri without fasting. If you do fast, follow your family's or teacher's guidance. ### Is there a colour for each day? In some regions, especially Maharashtra, each day of Navratri has a colour that changes from year to year. These colours are a regional custom, not part of the scriptures, and lists differ, so we don't give one here. Follow your local or family calendar if you like to wear the day's colour. ### Can I chant just one mantra for all nine days? Yes. Many devotees keep one prayer throughout, such as [Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/ya-devi-sarva/). What matters most is chanting with attention and regularity. ### Are these Sanskrit or Hindi mantras? The chants are Sanskrit, written here in Devanagari. On each mantra page you can also read them in other scripts, including Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Changing the script does not change the language of the chant. Dates are from Drik Panchang for India. The descriptions follow the dhyana verses commonly used for the Navadurga; details such as mounts and what each goddess holds vary a little between regions and texts. ## Related mantras - [Shailaputri Devi Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/shailaputri-devi-mantra/) - [Brahmachaarini Devi Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/brahmachaarini-devi-mantra/) - [Chandraghanta Devi Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/chandraghanta-devi-mantra/) - [Kushmanda Devi Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/kushmanda-devi-mantra/) - [Skandamata Devi Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/skandamata-devi-mantra/) - [Kaatyayani Devi Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/kaatyayani-devi-mantra/) - [Kaalaratri Devi Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/kaalaratri-devi-mantra/) - [Mahagauri Devi Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/mahagauri-devi-mantra/) - [Siddhidaatri Devi Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/siddhidaatri-devi-mantra/) - [Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/ya-devi-sarva/) - [Durga Gayatri Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/durga/durga-gayatri-mantra/) --- Source: https://mahakatha.com/blog/navratri-mantras/ — Mahakatha, https://mahakatha.com